Domestic Violence in the Workplace: Impact and Awareness

Workplace domestic violence has a significant impact on employees' safety, productivity, and overall well-being. Victims often face challenges at work as well as at home, highlighting the need for awareness, support, and resources within organizations. Recognizing the warning signs, implementing policies, and providing training can create a safer environment for employees to seek help and address domestic violence issues effectively.

• Domestic Violence
• Workplace Impact
• Employee Safety
• Awareness
• Resources

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1. Domestic Violence & the Workplace Domestic violence doesn t stay at home when victims go to work (MAG DV Council)

2. Todays Presenter Melody Hicks, MC, LPC Behavior Health Integration Manager Maricopa County Public Health Dept. Today s Agenda: How domestic violence affects the workplace How to recognize warning signs among employees Methods to address partner violence Resources for Employers and Employees When we think of domestic violence, we typically don t think about the workplace, says Alexandra Donovan, violence prevention coordinator at the Cambridge Mass., Public Health Department. But we should because domestic violence has no boundaries ...

3. What Do Employers Think? According to a Domestic Violence and Mental Health Research Project Report completed by WestGroup Research and the Healthy Arizona Worksites Program in 2015 HR Managers feel employers should address Domestic Violence HR Managers would like specific policies, procedures, training and other resources to address Domestic Violence HR managers feel that being responsive to employees experiencing Domestic Violence is very important Most employers do not have full picture of how Domestic Violence issues impact their organizations A Fortune 100 survey showed that 66% of Senior Executives and 75% of HR directors feel that if Domestic Violence were addressed the negative impacts (of Domestic Violence) would greatly improve within their organizations 3

4. What Would your company do Melissa was a high-flying young executive in New York but never breathing a word to anyone about the Hospital admissions, miscarriages, beatings all of which had become normal in her life. Fearing she would die, she took an overnight train to California with only $50 in her pocket and an assumed name she began a new life as a secretary in an advertising agency. "If it were not for my employer, I would not be alive today," says Melissa Morbeck, calmly. From October 4, 2013 http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/domestic-violence-hidden-workplace-issue

5. Domestic Violence impacts Workforce Safety & productivity Over 1 million women are stalked annually and at least a quarter of them (250,000) admit to missing work because of stalking Over half of the employed victims of domestic violence reported missing work because of the abuse 74% of working, battered women report being harassed by their partners while at the workplace One in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. Center for Disease Control & Prevention

6. Why talk about Domestic Violence in the Workplace? 33% of women killed in the workplace killed by a current or former intimate partner (1997-2009) on-the-job deaths of 321 women & 38 men were a result of intimate partner homicide 47% of victims of Domestic Violence are prevented from going to work 6

7. Why talk about Domestic Violence in the Workplace? A study in Maine in 2003 found that 78% of surveyed perpetrators used workplace resources to check up on, threaten, pressure their victims 21% of offenders reported contacting their victims at the workplace even with no contact orders in place 7

8. Domestic Violence costs $8.3 billion in expenses annually; a combination of higher medical costs and lost productivity In one 12 month period (2005-2006) 130,000 victims of stalking reported they were asked to leave their jobs or fired because of stalking Lawsuits filed by injured employees or their estates are costly, averaging $50,000 a case; with trial cases averaging $3 million a case according to the book, Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace Interesting Side Note: The American Institute of Domestic Violence reports that less than half of all victims report their situation to their supervisors. More than 70% of all US workplaces do not have a formal program or policy that addresses Domestic Violence 8

9. What is Domestic Violence? According to the U.S. Department of Justice: Domestic Violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner.

10. Different Types of Abusive Behavior Stalking Rape or sexual assault or abuse Physical Emotional/Psychological Economic

11. Why Dont People Just LEAVE?

12. Red Flags an employee might be experiencing Domestic Violence at home Arriving to work very late or very early Taking time off without notice Decreased productivity Tension around receiving personal phone calls Wearing long sleeves on a hot day or wearing sunglasses inside Difficulty in making decisions or concentrating Avoiding windows, main entrance to the office

13. More Warning Signs Repeated discussion of marital or relationship problems Flowers or gifts sent to employee at the workplace for no apparent reason Bruises, chronic headaches, abdominal pains, muscle aches Taking frequent time off for illnesses or to see the doctor Fatigue Intense startle reactions

14. What Can Employers Do? Start the Conversation Form a group, committee, or task force -Create or utilize a survey for your workforce

15. What Can Employers Do? Provide Training to Managers & Supervisors Build Awareness among employees about Domestic Violence Offer counseling services through an Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

16. What Can Employers Do? Choose Health Plans with Domestic Violence services, including counseling Create policies and procedures Create partnerships with local shelters

17. Examples of what some companies have done to incorporate Domestic Violence awareness in their companies and increase openness for all employees. This information comes from the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence: http://www.caepv.org/

18. American Express Sponsor events and provide funding for services, from a Walk/Run event in New York City to providing a grant for transitional housing for women and children in Arizona. In October (Domestic Violence Awareness month), paychecks include a message about domestic violence and speakers are invited from law enforcement and advocacy groups. Posters and brochures are put into rest rooms

19. Kaiser Permanente Created an Intimate Partner Violence Prevention program. Has 4 components: 1. A screening and referral system 2. A supportive environment 3. On-site resources 4. Community Linkages SilentWitnessProject shares 14 stories from employees who survived intimate partner violence. Available in many languages for staff, their families and patients. In 2006 a fountain was dedicated at one hospital to the memory of 3 employees killed as a result of intimate partner violence

20. Verizon Verizon has complete leadership and support from the highest levels of the organization HR professionals are educated on what they can do to assist employees who are victims Included in their Employee Code of Business Conduct is a statement of Workplace Violence & Threats as well as Domestic Violence Local women s shelters are included in Verizon s annual health & benefits fairs which provide educational information on domestic violence

21. Example of a few ideas for Safety Procedures/Policies for Domestic Violence - Employees with Orders of Protection should bring a copy to work and provide to appropriate staff - A picture of the abuser should be given to security and reception - Provisions for reasonable accommodations for victims - Provisions to maintain the confidentiality of the victim

22. Example of a few ideas for Safety Procedures/Policies for Domestic Violence - Training for all management & staff about the DV policies/procedures - Support from Human Resources and Supervisors - Provisions that ensure reasonable adjustments for employees whose work performance has been impacted by the violence - Disciplinary Sanctions for employees who perpetuate domestic violence, and use office resources to stalk or harass their victims

23. Information for Employers The Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) doesn t mention domestic violence but it can offer job-protected leave for victims Ariz. Rev. Stat. 13-4439 which must allow an employee who is a victim of a crime to leave work to be present at a proceeding or obtain an order of protection, an injunction against harassment, or any other injunctive relief to help ensure the health, safety or welfare of the victim or the victim s child Ariz. Rev. Stat. 12-1810 Allows an employer or an authorized agent of an employer to petition for an injunction prohibiting workplace harassment on behalf of the employer or any person who enters the employers property or who is performing official work duties

24. Information for AZ Employers Workman s Comp will not pay for personal assaults or injuries, even for those individuals injured by intimate partners while at work. Arizona does follow the imported quarrel rule, which provides that if a personal dispute takes place in the workplace, it can be compensable if the work is found to have exacerbated the quarrel.

25. RESOURCES Free Surveys for Assessing Intimate Partner Violence in the workplace: http://www.workplacesrespond.org/sites/default/files/imce/Questionnaire_%20Initial%20Evaluation%20 of%20Workplace%20Program%202.15.pdf ( survey that assesses many issues in the workplace related to violence) protection) http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/wpvsform.pdf (Dept. of Labor survey to assess workplace violence http://www.workplacesrespond.org/assess/assess-your-knowledge (a quiz created by Workplaces Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence way to assess the knowledge base of Managers, Staff, Supervisors, etc.) Employment Law and Domestic Violence: http://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/migrated/domesticviolence/PublicDocuments/ABA_CDV_ Employ.authcheckdam.pdf (created by the American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence with information about the legal aspects of domestic violence for employers)

26. Resources Training, Information & videos for Employers: http://www.odvn.org/home-speakout (Video produced by the Avon Foundation for women showing a supervisor speaking with an employee whose work performance has changed and admits to dealing with some personal issues ) http://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/lifestyle/domestic-violence- prevention/DV_Guidebook_Web.pdf (created by the Cambridge Public Health Dept. to help employers develop a workplace domestic violence policy) http://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/userfiles/file/HealthCare/WorkplacePolicy.pdf (an example of a very comprehensive Domestic Violence Policy & Procedure for a small Health & Wellness Center) https://www.google.com/search?q=power+and+control+wheel&biw=1280&bih=853&tbm=isch&tbo=u&s ource=univ&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiF5M7HhcPJAhUX92MKHdJ3BZ0QsAQIKA#imgrc=HOWYvTk8dO_Ii M%3A (Provides a better understanding of the power dynamics in an abusive relationship) http://www.workplacesrespond.org/ (Workplaces Respond to Domestic & Sexual Violence website that has many resources and information, including sample policies and procedures)

27. Resources Training, Information & videos for Employers: http://nomore.org/about/ (The No More campaign was launched in 2013 by a coalition of leading Advocacy Groups, Service providers, Corporations and U.S. Dept of Justice. Site has information/tools/PSAs to increase awareness about domestic violence) Addressing Domestic Violence in the Workplace (book by Johnny Lee, HRD press, Inc., 2004) https://www.verizon.com/about/sites/default/files/Verizon-Code-of-Conduct.pdf (Code of Conduct for Verizon Employees Directly addresses Domestic Violence)

28. Resources Employees needing services for Intimate Partner Violence: 1-800-779-7233 - TTY 1-800-787-3224 - (National Domestic Violence Hotline) http://www.azmag.gov/Committees/Committee.asp?CMSID=1053 (Maricopa Association of Governments site which has a good video about how to obtain and why one should get an Order of Protection as well as other resources) https://www.domesticshelters.org/ (website that enables individuals to locate shelters throughout the country) https://www.womenshelters.org/det/az-autumn_house_domestic_violence_shelter (website for Autumn House shelter located in Maricopa County) http://www.caafaaz.org/ (Community Alliance Against Family Abuse provides services in Pinal County, AZ) 602-263-8900 (Local hotline number for Phoenix, AZ) http://www.womenslaw.org/simple.php?sitemap_id=3 (safety tips by Women s Law for people trying to leave abusive relationships and how to keep safe) http://www.ncall.us/advocacy/working-older-victims (website for older victims of domestic violence site includes a resource directory for victims)

29. Resources https://www.verizon.com/about/sites/default/files/Verizon-Code-of-Conduct.pdf (Code of Conduct for Verizon Employees Directly addresses Domestic Violence) http://www.sojournerproject.org/ (website is the national office but there is a shelter in the Phoenix area) http://apps.americanbar.org/tips/publicservice/safetipseng.html (tips about keeping safe at home, work, in the community, etc.) http://www.oneincusa.org/ (website for a non-profit group that offers a program to deal with relationship violence. Located in Glendale) http://www.azcadv.org/ (AZ Coalition to End Sexual & Domestic Violence site has information/education and prevention resources) http://www.neveragainfoundation.org/ (Never Again Foundation a nonprofit charity that provides legal assistance to families of victims killed by domestic violence) http://www.clicktoempower.org/ (Allstate Foundation s program to provide knowledge and resources to survivors of domestic violence through online programs and webinars) http://www.verizon.com/about/responsibility/hopeline (website created by Verizon powerful video to view created to illustrate the 6,000 women & men turned away daily from shelters due to lack of funding)

31. Interested in more training? Contact Sherry Haskins 31

32. Brief Biography for Melody Hicks Melody Hicks is a Licensed Professional Counselor with the state of AZ Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. She has a Master s degree in Counseling from Arizona State University. She has over 40 years of experience in the field of Behavioral/mental health. She has worked as a crisis counselor, Rape and Domestic Violence hotline counselor; drug and alcohol coordinator at Northern Arizona University and had her own independent practice where she was a contractor with United Behavioral Health and Cigna Behavioral Health. She has worked with diverse populations and was an adjunct instructor with the Maricopa County Community College District for over 15 years. She presently works at Maricopa County Public Health as a Behavioral Health Integration Manager and in addition to working with the Healthy AZ Worksites Program, she works with many departments in Public Health to integrate behavioral health information into their programs.